Amnesty Archives

North Macedonia Court Releases Former Officials Convicted in 2017 Parliament Attack Under Amnesty Law

Skopje, North Macedonia – In a significant legal decision, four former officials from North Macedonia’s conservative VMRO-DPMNE party were released by a court on Thursday, after previously being convicted for their roles in orchestrating a violent assault on the country’s Parliament in 2017. This incident had marked a peak in the nation’s prolonged political turmoil. The individuals released include Trajko Veljanovski, former speaker of Parliament; Spiro Ristovski and Mile Janakieski, both of whom served as …

Amnesty International Demands Investigation into Violent Crackdown on Protesters in Islamabad

Islamabad, Pakistan – Amnesty International has called for an immediate and thorough investigation following reports of excessive force used against protesters, resulting in multiple deaths and mass detentions in Islamabad on November 26 and 27. The human rights organization highlighted an alarming attenuation of freedom of assembly rights, as protesters from the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) faced violent suppressions during demonstrations calling for the release of their leader, former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The …

Amnesty International Calls for Inquiry into Fatal Crackdown on PTI Protesters in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Amnesty International has called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the use of force by security personnel against protesters in Pakistan’s capital, labeling the government’s response a “brutal and lethal crackdown.” The human rights group’s demands follow several days of intense protests led by supporters of the political party PTI, which opposes the current regime. The confrontation peaked late Tuesday when police and security forces deployed tear gas and rubber bullets …

Georgian Government Accused of Fueling Violence Against Critics by Amnesty International Official

Tbilisi, Georgia – In a troubling turn of events, civic activist Zuka Berdzenishvili was viciously attacked by unknown assailants shortly after being accused in a social media post by the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament of partaking in a campaign of terror. Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Denis Krivosheev, expressed deep concern over the incident, highlighting a pattern of violence against government critics that seems to be condoned by government …

global rise in executions despite increasing opposition to death penalty, Amnesty International reports

Tokyo, Japan – Despite many countries abolishing the use of capital punishment, the number of executions continues to rise globally. According to Amnesty International, the data compiled from official statistics, media reports, and firsthand information indicates that China leads in the number of executions, although exact figures are undisclosed by the Chinese government. In 2022, Amnesty International recorded 883 executions worldwide, marking the highest number since 2017. However, this figure is significantly lower compared to …

Europe’s Leaders Urgently Need to Reverse Course on Migration Deal with Tunisia, Says Amnesty Director

Brussels, Belgium – Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty’s European Institutions Office, expressed deep concern over the European Union’s recent agreement with Tunisia. The deal aims to curb migration to Europe and comes with millions in financial support for border management. While European and EU leaders hope to address the migration crisis, Geddie believes the human costs of the agreement are already apparent. She urges European and EU leaders to urgently reverse course. The agreement with …

Over 700 Knives, Including ‘Zombie Knives,’ Surrendered to Humberside Police in Week-Long Amnesty

Hull, England – More than 700 knives, including “zombie knives,” have been voluntarily surrendered to Humberside Police during a week-long amnesty. The haul, which ranged from kitchen knives to “really horrific” weapons, came as part of Operation Sceptre, a national effort to combat knife crime. Police placed knife bins outside stations across the Humber region, collecting a variety of weapons, much to the surprise of Superintendent Jenny Bristow. “Knife crime can have a devastating impact …